Survey of the biggest consumer gripes
Aggressive debt collection tactics and false promises to fix foreclosure problems are just a couple things listed on a new survey of consumer complaints. Tess lists a few more.
Customer complaining to someone on the telephone. (iStockPhoto)
More on Spending, Odds And Ends
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TESS VIGELAND: Americans are not happy consumers these days. Really? That bit of obviousness brought to you by the Consumer Federation of America. We could've told them that ourselves, based on the letters you send every week.
Anyway, the CFA released a not-quite-Letterman worthy Top Ten list this week and boy, are we fuming over our credit cards and mortgages. Topping the list, complaints about those companies promising to repair your bad credit. People, you can do this yourselves. You're also peeved over efforts to modify loans, probably because it's not happening much. Same with those promises to help you avoid foreclosure. Strong-arm debt collection tactics are also on the rise. And lots of folks filed complaints about unused gift cards that weren't honored and unfulfilled warranties when a business went under.
Where's that new Consumer Financial Protection Agency when you need it? On hold.
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From HI, 08/02/2009
"
gift cards that weren't honored and unfulfilled warranties
"
Gift cards and warranties are the things I just love to hate.
"You like to buy gift card?"
"What gift card is?"
"It money that you can spend, but only at one store, my store."
"Because only good at one store, do I get higher denomination on card than denomination of real money I use to pay for card? Do I get $101 card for only $99 of real, not confederate money?"
"What are you? some kind of bargain freak? Out of my store, instantly. Don't ever come back, freak, weirdrdrdrdo. You trying to rob us or something? I'm calling the cops."
"Good to get all freaks out of my store. You like to buy warranty on this poorly designed product that cannot last with all foreign content from communist country where factory is always taking profits. You like good warranty?"
"What warranty is?"
"You get repair process at only 90% of parity if you return defective product looking real hang-dog-humble-like and come with good looking neighbor's daughter who smiles real big."
"What's the catch to it?"
"If you buy warranty at only 80% of price of product using today's deflated currency then you can't sue us for defects in class action law suit against the mob who owns this store. And you have to give us all your personal information the personal information on your neighbors daughter, and her SSN, social misnomer number, and phone number."
"No problem. Warranty sounds just what I need. Gimme 5."
"Take 5 Brubeck!"
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